BLACK QUARTER DISEASE OUTBREAK PUTS RUKUNGIRI FARMERS ON TENTERHOOKS

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Rukungiri—

The Rukungiri District Veterinary office has reported an increase in the number of livestock affected by black quarter’s disease.

Black Quarters is an acute, highly fatal disease that affects cattle, goats, sheep and sometimes swine caused by Clostridium Chauvoei.

The ERAM Uganda Western Region Coordinator Dr Henry Mukasa said the disease can best be controlled by restricted movement of animals, quarantining of suspected animals and proper surveillance of animals taken to abattoirs.

He called upon farmers and abattoir staff to avoid slaughtering animals affected by black quarter disease because this gives the spores opportunity to escape into the atmosphere and eventually contaminate the environment including pastures and water, making it easy to catch more livestock.

This involves even veterinary officials who would wish to open carcasses as means of identifying spores.

The disease is spread through spores which may stay in an area for decades.

The District Veterinary Officer Dr Johnson Ninsiima said veterinary practitioners across the district have enough skills, knowledge and equipment to contain the disease, adding that they should encourage farmers to join the campaign to contain the disease.

He wants them to share information with other stakeholders for easy containment of the disease.

Black Quarter Disease has been reported in Nyarushanje, Buyanja and Nyakagyeme.

The disease is characterized by painful black spots that attack the animal’s skin, high temperatures and sticky saliva and lack of appetite.

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